"We are not going to deplane yet, until our ground crew removes bags from the back of the plane. This is done to prevent the airplane from tipping backward".
While waiting to deplane a new United A321 recently, I wondered about the push and pull of constraints and optimization. Airlines have stuffed more seats into planes while slicing and dicing products from carry ons, legroom, seats and checked baggage. These choices cascade to more crowded gate areas, transit/parking and of course security queues.
In my a321 example, airline optimizations lead to a longer turnaround, that is more time on the ground and less in the air, generating revenues. Perhaps Airbus design/manufacturing choices play a role as well, adding more length to the rear rather than toward the airplane's nose.
Addison Schonland
recently published a chart on single aisle turn times:
Explore in amuz.
